United rant

[Anonymous]

this sucks OP, I'd be really annoyed too. I'm flying United to Europe in a couple of weeks for work and apparently it's in their "new" business class - now expecting it to be crap

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This happened to me on American for a flight this past August. They "rescheduled" both our departure for several hours later and our return for several hours earlier. The net result was a beach day carved off our vacation, and upheaval in my young kids' nap schedules, previously carefully planned around. I called and demanded that they put us on new flights. At first the guy said no, but then reviewed something and came back and said they had a new policy (due to the merger?) and would accommodate me. We were rescheduled for a day earlier. So, it can happen.

Like some of the other PPs, I wonder if you can get them to rebook you in a way that would be better for them and their inevitable scheduling woes. I would call back and keep asking to speak to someone up the chain. As you point out, it's not what you purchased and their proffered remedy thus far is unsatisfactory. But do think about what your next best outcome is, because they aren't bringing that flight back (or putting you on a different airline).

OP here. I know you are totally right. I'll get there. Just processing the anger/disappointment first.

Ask them to rebook you to the evening flight a day earlier, AND cover the cost of your extra hotel night (either through partial refund on this fare, upgrades for your family, or travel vouchers for future use, etc). At least get something for your inconvenience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah United is the worst. We've had problems every single time we've flown with them so now we avoid it like the plague. Sorry.

They were on the cover of Business week a year or so ago, talking about the improvement plan they had just implemented, and I remember that their whole thing was trying to improve, not to be the best, but just to suck less so they wouldn't be the literal worst. That struck me as amusing.

Frequent flyer here. I think United has some rather sophisticated bean counters and that's why flights get cancelled far in advance like this -- they realize it's not going to fill up to the 75% (or whatever) fill rate they need to make money on it.

I fly business class on long trips, and avoid United on their planes that are 2-4-2 in _business class_. Who wants to be in a middle seat on a 14-hour trip to Asia? I instead go via Toronto on Air Canada for a lower price, and with a better seat layout.

United finally realized they're losing out even on their big-money spenders (business customers), so they just announced their new "Polaris" business class product which brings them up to par with other airlines. However since United has such a large fleet to retrofit with new seats, it'll be years and years until all planes are upgraded. The first upgrade is in January I think.

Another frequqent flyer here, and sadly, a United 1million miler. Have you seen the new Polaris? It's designed to appeal to their former Continental customers, who were usually NOT businesspeople. My friend at UA calls it "HoneyBooBoo Airlines". Anyway, you get a stuffed animal in business class--WTF, like I'm carrying that around with me? Also they now have Saks Fifth Ave stamped on the blankets and such, as if anyone gives a $h!t about that. I'd rather they just have decent seats and service.

But I'm screwed, too much time and miles invested with them now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah United is the worst. We've had problems every single time we've flown with them so now we avoid it like the plague. Sorry.

They were on the cover of Business week a year or so ago, talking about the improvement plan they had just implemented, and I remember that their whole thing was trying to improve, not to be the best, but just to suck less so they wouldn't be the literal worst. That struck me as amusing.

Frequent flyer here. I think United has some rather sophisticated bean counters and that's why flights get cancelled far in advance like this -- they realize it's not going to fill up to the 75% (or whatever) fill rate they need to make money on it.

I fly business class on long trips, and avoid United on their planes that are 2-4-2 in _business class_. Who wants to be in a middle seat on a 14-hour trip to Asia? I instead go via Toronto on Air Canada for a lower price, and with a better seat layout.

United finally realized they're losing out even on their big-money spenders (business customers), so they just announced their new "Polaris" business class product which brings them up to par with other airlines. However since United has such a large fleet to retrofit with new seats, it'll be years and years until all planes are upgraded. The first upgrade is in January I think.

Another frequqent flyer here, and sadly, a United 1million miler. Have you seen the new Polaris? It's designed to appeal to their former Continental customers, who were usually NOT businesspeople. My friend at UA calls it "HoneyBooBoo Airlines". Anyway, you get a stuffed animal in business class--WTF, like I'm carrying that around with me? Also they now have Saks Fifth Ave stamped on the blankets and such, as if anyone gives a $h!t about that. I'd rather they just have decent seats and service.

But I'm screwed, too much time and miles invested with them now.

That's funny. The last time my husband flew UA internationally, it was the IAD to Tokyo flight. He was in Economy Plus which was bad enough, but the entire middle row of the plane had no on board entertainment for the entire 12 hour flight. Can you imagine??

[Anonymous]

UA is not the only airline that does this. Jetblue switched my flight back from a cruise 1.5 hours, meaning I wouldn't have made the flight. Delta recently switched an overseas flight three times...the third time to the DAY before. Literally from 7pm one day to 7pm the day before.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This happened to me on American for a flight this past August. They "rescheduled" both our departure for several hours later and our return for several hours earlier. The net result was a beach day carved off our vacation, and upheaval in my young kids' nap schedules, previously carefully planned around. I called and demanded that they put us on new flights. At first the guy said no, but then reviewed something and came back and said they had a new policy (due to the merger?) and would accommodate me. We were rescheduled for a day earlier. So, it can happen.

Like some of the other PPs, I wonder if you can get them to rebook you in a way that would be better for them and their inevitable scheduling woes. I would call back and keep asking to speak to someone up the chain. As you point out, it's not what you purchased and their proffered remedy thus far is unsatisfactory. But do think about what your next best outcome is, because they aren't bringing that flight back (or putting you on a different airline).

OP here. I know you are totally right. I'll get there. Just processing the anger/disappointment first.

I usually do that via the conduit of whatever unfortunate airline rep answers my call.

You can also try FB/twitter too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

That's funny. The last time my husband flew UA internationally, it was the IAD to Tokyo flight. He was in Economy Plus which was bad enough, but the entire middle row of the plane had no on board entertainment for the entire 12 hour flight. Can you imagine??

Yeah I avoid that direct flight as it's 2-4-2 in business class, and fly via Toronto instead. Worth it for such a long flight.

I guess in a few years from now, they'll upgrade the airplane and I"ll go on United again. My next Japan business trip is to a smaller city in Japan so it'll be 3 flights going via Toronto due to lack of direct flights there. Ugh..

[Anonymous]

I don't mind UAL. It's the only one that gave me free relief when customers of size invaded my space [even raised arm rest]. Jet blue lost me when it gave me an argument when a neighbor's lap baby was on my tray-hitting kicking me and I moved. My alternative seat was the toilet or floor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah United is the worst. We've had problems every single time we've flown with them so now we avoid it like the plague. Sorry.

They were on the cover of Business week a year or so ago, talking about the improvement plan they had just implemented, and I remember that their whole thing was trying to improve, not to be the best, but just to suck less so they wouldn't be the literal worst. That struck me as amusing.

Frequent flyer here. I think United has some rather sophisticated bean counters and that's why flights get cancelled far in advance like this -- they realize it's not going to fill up to the 75% (or whatever) fill rate they need to make money on it.

I fly business class on long trips, and avoid United on their planes that are 2-4-2 in _business class_. Who wants to be in a middle seat on a 14-hour trip to Asia? I instead go via Toronto on Air Canada for a lower price, and with a better seat layout.

United finally realized they're losing out even on their big-money spenders (business customers), so they just announced their new "Polaris" business class product which brings them up to par with other airlines. However since United has such a large fleet to retrofit with new seats, it'll be years and years until all planes are upgraded. The first upgrade is in January I think.

Another frequqent flyer here, and sadly, a United 1million miler. Have you seen the new Polaris? It's designed to appeal to their former Continental customers, who were usually NOT businesspeople. My friend at UA calls it "HoneyBooBoo Airlines". Anyway, you get a stuffed animal in business class--WTF, like I'm carrying that around with me? Also they now have Saks Fifth Ave stamped on the blankets and such, as if anyone gives a $h!t about that. I'd rather they just have decent seats and service.

But I'm screwed, too much time and miles invested with them now.

you sound like a real sweetheart

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Switched to southwest and so far have really loved it.

Yep, Southwest is the way to go. Bonus points that the employees are, for the most part, not assholes.

Yes, but Southwest doesn't go anywhere internationally from here (maybe the Caribbean?) and they don't have a lot of flights. United has a hub at IAD, so you are stuck with them for many flights depending on where you want to go.

Think about this, people in other cities (Pittsburgh, Philly, Charlotte, etc) only have one airport. At least DC (NYC as well, as well as a few other cities) have multiple airports, so you get your pick of the litter for flights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Switched to southwest and so far have really loved it.

Yep, Southwest is the way to go. Bonus points that the employees are, for the most part, not assholes.

Yes, but Southwest doesn't go anywhere internationally from here (maybe the Caribbean?) and they don't have a lot of flights. United has a hub at IAD, so you are stuck with them for many flights depending on where you want to go.

Think about this, people in other cities (Pittsburgh, Philly, Charlotte, etc) only have one airport. At least DC (NYC as well, as well as a few other cities) have multiple airports, so you get your pick of the litter for flights.

Mexico and Costa Rica.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Switched to southwest and so far have really loved it.

Yep, Southwest is the way to go. Bonus points that the employees are, for the most part, not assholes.

Yes, but Southwest doesn't go anywhere internationally from here (maybe the Caribbean?) and they don't have a lot of flights. United has a hub at IAD, so you are stuck with them for many flights depending on where you want to go.

Think about this, people in other cities (Pittsburgh, Philly, Charlotte, etc) only have one airport. At least DC (NYC as well, as well as a few other cities) have multiple airports, so you get your pick of the litter for flights.

That's true, but unfortunately, United is the hub for International flights for the DC area. So if you have to travel a lot internationally, don't want to make tons of connections, and want to earn miles, United is usually the first and only choice for that.